■ Sometimes forceful spraying with water on leaves will wash away aphids and mites. Scare away beneficials (ladybugs, praying mantis, lacewings, etc.) by thumping or shaking stems. This practice may also be used on trees where honeydew is a problem.

■ Apply your second grubworm treatment.

■ Destroy summer squash that is heavily infested with squash bugs or powdery mildew and replant.

■ If gladiolus foliage has started to die down, you can start digging and drying corms for winter storage.

■ Caladiums require plenty of water at this time of year.

■ Apply last pecan spray — insecticide and fungicide.

■ Mulch to retain moisture levels and to reduce soil temperature.

SEPTEMBER

■ Watch for red spider mites on mums. A nice blast of water will knock these pests off leaves.

■ Day lilies like loose, well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant, but they will enjoy regular irrigation as long as the soil is not soggy.

■ Prepare beds for spring flowering bulbs as soon as possible. Cultivate and add generous amounts of organic matter (6 to 9 inches), water and allow to settle before planting bulbs. Bulbs will rot without proper drainage.

■ Plant peonies anytime this month through mid-October.

■ Cut back or pull up faded or dying plants. This material works well in your compost bin if not diseased.